Education News, Publications & Research

CAB and the Council for Exceptional Children hope to raise awareness about people living with disabilities

Mar 16, 2012 |

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Disabilities Week kicks off this week in an effort to raise awareness and educate the public about people living with disabilities. St. Bonaventure University’s Campus Activities Board and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) have organized a variety of events beginning March 20.

A student panel will address the theme of higher education and living with a disability on Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in Dresser Auditorium, located in The John J. Murphy Professional Building.

On Wednesday, March 21, screenings of “A Smile as Big as the Moon” will explore a special education teacher, his class, and their journey though U.S. space camp. The film will be shown in Plassmann Room 300 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Parents and teachers will collaborate together in a panel discussion to address their roles in schools and related agencies for the education of students with disabilities on Thursday, March 22, at 7 p.m. in Plassmann Hall Room 300.

Throughout the week, efforts will be focused around educating others about different types of disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Additionally, a campaign will be launched to stop the “R-word.” “Spread the word to end the word” is a national campaign that supports eliminating the demeaning use of the R-word. For more information on the R-word campaign, visit http://www.r-word.org.

Disabilities Week will end with a “powder puff” football game on Saturday, March 24, at 2 p.m. in hopes of raising money for the Down Syndrome Association. Signup Thursday, March 22 and Friday, March 23 in Reilly Center Room 208 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to participate.

About the University: Inspired for more than 150 years by the Catholic Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them